The Tragedy of Names

Yale J Biol Med. 2021 Jun 30;94(2):375-378. eCollection 2021 Jun.ABSTRACTThe naming of pathogens and their associated syndromes is a thorny process which unfolds in a complex geopolitical environment. This brief piece offers perspective on the multitude of forces that shape the name of a pathogen and summarizes the story of Sin Nombre Virus, with some reference to the ongoing saga of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). A monopoly on names and circulating monikers rarely exists, and certain communities become disproportionately impacted by misunderstandings or stigmatization. By acknowledging these processes, we can better serve as allies to affected communities dealing with both pandemic and prejudice.PMID:34211356 | PMC:PMC8223546
Source: The Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine - Category: Universities & Medical Training Authors: Source Type: research